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If we compare the announcing of HBO & Showtime, I think it is clear that Showtime does a much better job.
Play-By-Play; While Jim Lampley may have more boxing knowledge than Gus Johnson, Gus actually talks about what is going on in the ring. Lampley spends more time talking about what is going on outside the ring and offers way too much petty psycho-anaylsis. Gus, though a little odd, builds excitement. After all, is there a better line in boxing that "nuts and guts folks!"
Color Analyst- Al Bernstein is far superior to Merchant or Kellerman. Bernstein is objective, describes what is going on in the ring, has a keen eye for telling moments or blows, and is totally committed to the sport of boxing. Merchant spends far too much time insulting the boxers he's watching and Kellerman is decent, but he's no Bernstein.
Color Analyst (Boxing guy)- Tarver over Steward and RJJ any day. RJJ telling Paul Williams to retire is the height of hypocrisy. Steward is decent, but he doesn't really add much: "the fight is going exactly as I expected". Tarver adds some really good insights, such as the way Juanma doesn't close up when fighting inside. While Tarver's English isn't that great and he messes up plurals and tenses, he consistently offers insightful observations while getting better at this job all the time.
At the end of the day, Showtime actually describes what is going on in the ring and they do it insightfully and with authority. HBO, while certainly decent, spend way too much time off topic and engaging in psycho-analysis that detracts from the actual excitement.
A good announcing team can make an exciting fight more enjoyable, while a poor announcing team can make an exciting fight less so. HBO needs to have a good long look at Showtime and start changing things up. IMO
Play-By-Play; While Jim Lampley may have more boxing knowledge than Gus Johnson, Gus actually talks about what is going on in the ring. Lampley spends more time talking about what is going on outside the ring and offers way too much petty psycho-anaylsis. Gus, though a little odd, builds excitement. After all, is there a better line in boxing that "nuts and guts folks!"
Color Analyst- Al Bernstein is far superior to Merchant or Kellerman. Bernstein is objective, describes what is going on in the ring, has a keen eye for telling moments or blows, and is totally committed to the sport of boxing. Merchant spends far too much time insulting the boxers he's watching and Kellerman is decent, but he's no Bernstein.
Color Analyst (Boxing guy)- Tarver over Steward and RJJ any day. RJJ telling Paul Williams to retire is the height of hypocrisy. Steward is decent, but he doesn't really add much: "the fight is going exactly as I expected". Tarver adds some really good insights, such as the way Juanma doesn't close up when fighting inside. While Tarver's English isn't that great and he messes up plurals and tenses, he consistently offers insightful observations while getting better at this job all the time.
At the end of the day, Showtime actually describes what is going on in the ring and they do it insightfully and with authority. HBO, while certainly decent, spend way too much time off topic and engaging in psycho-analysis that detracts from the actual excitement.
A good announcing team can make an exciting fight more enjoyable, while a poor announcing team can make an exciting fight less so. HBO needs to have a good long look at Showtime and start changing things up. IMO
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